Uniform

What is uniform?
The basic definition of uniform is 'all the same'. As with school uniform where everyone wears the same clothes, all ATC squadrons stick to the strict guidelines for uniform. The items of the ATC uniform are named below. All (or at least most) items are the same as traditional RAF uniform with a few modifications (beret badge and brassard) and all are available for free loan from the squadron stores.When you wear uniform you should be smart and proud, and you should keep your uniform in excellent condition at all times.

Trousers:
The aim is to get sharp creases all the way up the trousers. The ideal way to do this is to use a trouser press, but not all of us happen to carry one around with us, we suggest lying the trousers flat on the ironing board. Remove any old creases to prevent 'tram-lines' by moistening the old crease and ironing it out (or use a steam function on the iron). Straighten the side of the trouser where the crease will go and push the crease in. Push down hard - within reason! - and move the iron over the trousers, repeating for each leg. The creases should last for a long time.

 

Shoes:
Take a small amount of shoe polish (KIWI Parade Gloss) and get a small amount of water and some wet cotton wool. Put a little polish on the cotton wool and rub over the toecap in small circles, covering the whole toe cap.
Continue with this circular motion until all the polish has gone into the shoe, and repeat. After 20-30 minutes, your shoes should come to a high shine. NB: Good shoes will look like glass.

 

Belt:
The belt is relatively easy to polish. First remove the buckle by carefully rotating the bar on the back, with the teeth holding it onto the belt. Now take some metal polish, e.g. 'Brasso', and wet a rag or duster with this. Then, in the same circular motion as parade shoe polishing, buff the whole of the belt buckle. After a short while your belt should appear clean but 'mirky', now use a clean part of the rag or duster to remove the remaining polish, the buckle should now shine bright. NB You frequently have to change your rag or duster as it soon goes black.

Jumper:
This is probably the easiest to maintain. All that is needed to keep it in good condition is, if it starts to get 'fluffy' then give it a quick shave, not literally with foam and razor, but by using a small, inexpensive razor (or electrical). Being careful not to cut the jumper, remove any sticking out fibres.

 

 

How to Tie a Windsor Knot

 

Shirts, (Working and light blue):
These are fairly easy to maintain - just ensure that they stay neatly ironed. There is no need for excessive ironing, all that is required is that there are no creases where there shouldn't be, and that there are no marks or stains on it. Ensure there is a sharp crease running from the top of the shoulder to the cuffs, as on a normal shirt.

 

Beret:
First, steam your beret, e.g. over a kettle, being careful not to burn yourself. Remove from the steam, and when cold enough, place it on your head. Make sure that the beret badge is over your left eye, and pull down the right side so that the badge sticks out a little. Then try and make the beret as smooth as possible.

Brassard:
Iron flat with no creases. Be sure that all badges are sewn correctly and secure.

DPM Boots:

When on a night-ex. or needing camouflage:

Clean with water to remove any dirt off and put on a thin layer of polish. These boots do not have to be shiny.

Shooting detail and non-camouflage boots:

Clean the boots with water, then dry. Take 2 brushes and use one to put the polish on and the other to brush it in. Then use the same method as with parade shoes to buff the toe caps.